3.3 GPA Colleges: Browse Schools That Accept a 3.3 GPA
Grade point average (GPA) is a measurement of academic performance by averaging all final grades received throughout your high school career. A 3.3 GPA is considered a “B” grade and is on the borderline between a B and B+. Most (if not all) colleges and universities accept applications from students with a 3.3 GPA.
Is a 3.3 GPA Good?
Because a 3.3 GPA is on the cusp of a B+ average, it is indicative of good performance in all classes with a consistently positive record on tests and homework assignments. With this in mind, a 3.3 GPA makes your application competitive at a majority of schools.
What Colleges Can I Get Into With a 3.3 GPA?
With a 3.3 GPA, you’ll be competitive for admission at a large number of colleges and universities. We’ve put together a list of these schools below. While a 3.3 GPA alone won’t guarantee admission, these colleges have a history of accepting students with a 3.3-3.4 GPA.
The most important thing at this point is to stay invested in doing the work that earned a 3.3 GPA. Identify the study habits and testing strategies that have been effective and repeat them.
If you’re in your freshman or sophomore year, a 3.3 GPA is a more than good foundation—it’s already competitive during the college application process. While the primary goal is definitely to maintain that GPA, there’s always the opportunity to raise it, but the goal will depend on plans for after high school graduation. If you’ve set your sights on an Ivy League, setting ambitious goals to reach a higher GPA will make you more competitive at prestigious schools. Whatever the next step is, though, now is the ideal time to get involved in extracurricular activities. Whether that’s a club devoted to a subject or topic that you’re interested in, a sport that you’re passionate about, or a community service project you believe in, finding something to do outside of class will make you a well-rounded applicant when the time comes!
If you’re a junior with a 3.3 GPA, you’re in a great spot. Whether you’ve spent the past two years working hard to achieve the goal or you’ve been maintaining it, you’re in a good place—keep it up! If you’re still looking to improve some more, it’s possible to achieve a 3.5, but it would require a near-perfect semester with straight As. At this point, though, it’s time to concentrate on preparing for standardized tests, aka the ACT and SAT. Because most schools weight standardized tests equally with GPA, be sure to balance test prep with regular academic study. Remember that a 3.3 GPA already makes you a competitive candidate at many colleges, so focusing on topping off your academic performance with good standardized test scores.
Once you’ve hit your senior year, it’s difficult to raise a GPA even a tenth of a point, but if you have a 3.3 GPA, you’re already in a good place. The best course of action is maintaining that 3.3 and ensuring that all parts of your application present you in the best possible light. Be sure to dedicate enough time to composing an essay and assembling a list of after school activities so that the application is a comprehensive showcase of who you are and your academic career thus far. Visit your college counselor and ask for feedback on any parts of your application that need improvement so that your total package is as impressive as your GPA.
What Are Colleges Looking At Other Than a 3.3 High School GPA?
Getting a holistic view of an applicant is every admission officer’s goal, so the more you can show about who you are as a person, not just in numbers, the better your application is likely to do. While you’ll also want to highlight things like your standardized test scores, make sure that you include any community service projects, involvement in afterschool clubs or sports, hobbies, jobs and more. Any or all of the following work:
- SAT Scores / ACT Scores
- Sports
- Club Affiliations
- Community Service
- Extracurricular Activities
- Job History / Internships / Special Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 3.3 GPA in high school considered good?
With the national average holding at a solid 3.0 GPA, a 3.3 beats that average by three-tenths — definitely something worth being proud of!
What colleges can I get into with a 3.3 GPA?
You can apply to just about every college and have a reasonable chance of acceptance at a good amount. The only colleges that will be relatively difficult to gain admittance to would be the more competitive and most competitive institutions. A 3.3 is the average GPA of accepted students at Howard University, Sam Houston State University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and many more. Check out the full list!
What percentile is a 3.3 GPA?
A 3.3 GPA equates to an 88%, or B+ average grade throughout your high school career. It shows consistent comprehension of materials and performance!
What scholarships can you get with a 3.3 GPA?
With a 3.3 GPA, you’re eligible to apply for a large majority of scholarships. While some may require a 3.5 or higher, they account for only a small portion of available scholarships. Start applying for scholarships today to offset tuition cost!
